Maldives dropped from Sri Lanka’s security threat list: Report

Maldives has been removed from the list of countries deemed to pose a threat to Sri Lanka’s national security, according to reports in the Sri Lankan press.

The country had been included in the list following the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, which killed 258 people and led to a sweeping overhaul of Sri Lanka’s internal security policies.

At the time, there were reports of alleged business links between some Maldivians and the attackers, although the Maldivian government denied any direct involvement.

In February 2020, Sri Lankan police named four Maldivians believed to be directly or indirectly linked to the bombings carried out by members of the National Thowheeth Jamaath.

The Guardian newspaper quoted a Maldivian government official as saying the Maldives was removed from the list during the recent state visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to Maldives.

However, neither government has made an official statement on the matter.

The inclusion of the Maldives on the list had caused complications for Maldivians residing in or travelling to Sri Lanka. According to Sri Lankan media, the Maldivian population in the country dropped from 10,000 to 1,500 due to visa challenges.

During President Dissanayake’s visit, new visa concessions were also announced. Spouses of Maldivians working or studying in Sri Lanka will now be eligible for one-year visas. From next month, Maldivians seeking medical treatment in Sri Lanka will also be granted one-year visas.

The changes come amid concerns within the Sri Lankan government over the declining number of Maldivians living in the country.

Maldives Immigration announced that from yesterday, Sri Lankans will be eligible for 90-day on-arrival visas when visiting Maldives.